# US 2017/0281162 A1 · Surgical stapling system configured to provide selective cutting of tissue > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281162 A1 - Document ID: US20170281162A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,278 - Filed: 2016-04-01 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC - Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Jason L. Harris; Adam D. Hensel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281162A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position} - A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00128: {related to intensity or progress of surgical action} - A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display} - A61B 2017/00305: {Constructional details of the flexible means} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system} - A61B 2017/00946: {malleable} - A61B 2017/00964: {composite} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07221: {curved} - A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples} - A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials} - A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion} - A61B 2017/2905: {flexible} - A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston} - A61B 2017/292: {connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess} - A61B 2017/2922: {toggle linkages} - A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs} - A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus} - A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument} - A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument assembly is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an articulation joint, and an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein, and an anvil configured to deform the staples. The end effector further comprises a drive input, a closure system configured to move the second jaw between an open position and a closed position, a staple firing system configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge, and a transmission positioned in the end effector, wherein the transmission is configurable in three operating states for operably coupling the closure system and the staple firing system with the drive shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument assembly, comprising: a shaft; an articulation joint; an end effector rotatably connected to said shaft about said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw; a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; an anvil configured to deform said staples; a drive input; a closure system configured to move said second jaw between an open position and a closed position; a staple firing system configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge; and a transmission positioned in said end effector, wherein said transmission is configurable in three operating states: a closure operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said closure system and operably decoupled from said staple firing system; a firing operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said staple firing system and operably decoupled from said closure system; and a third operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said closure system and said staple firing system such that said closure system and said staple firing system are operated simultaneously. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1, wherein said transmission is configured to lock out said staple firing system and prevent said staple firing system from being operated when said transmission is in said closure operating state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1, wherein said transmission is configured to lock out said closure system when said transmission is in said firing operating state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1, wherein said transmission comprises an electric clutch configured to shift said transmission between said closure operating state, said firing operating state, and said third operating state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1, wherein said drive input comprises a flexible rotatable shaft, and wherein said flexible rotatable shaft extends through said articulation joint. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a plurality of concentric staple cavities, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises a replaceable staple cartridge. ### Claim 7 A surgical instrument assembly, comprising: a shaft; an articulation joint; an end effector rotatably connected to said shaft about said articulation joint, wherein said end effector comprises: a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; an anvil; a drive input; a closure system configured to close said anvil; a staple firing system configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge; and a transmission positioned in said end effector, wherein said transmission comprises an electric clutch configurable in three operating configurations: a closure operating configuration in which said electric clutch operably couples said drive input with said closure system and operably decouples said drive input from said staple firing system; a firing operating configuration in which said electric clutch electrically couples said drive input with said staple firing system and operably decouples said drive input from said closure system; and a third operating configuration in which said electric clutch electrically couples said drive input with said closure system and said staple firing system such that said closure system and said staple firing system are operated simultaneously. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7, wherein said electric clutch is configured to lock out said staple firing system and prevent said staple firing system from being operated when said electric clutch is in said closure operating configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7, wherein said electric clutch is configured to lock out said closure system when said electric clutch is in said firing operating configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7, wherein said electric clutch comprises a toggle comprising two lock keys. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7, wherein said drive input comprises a flexible rotatable shaft, and wherein said flexible rotatable shaft extends through said articulation joint. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a plurality of concentric staple cavities, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises a replaceable staple cartridge. ### Claim 13 A surgical instrument assembly, comprising: a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; a drive input; a staple firing system configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge; a tissue cutting system configured to incise tissue captured between said staple cartridge and an anvil; and a transmission configurable in at least two operating states including: a firing operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said staple firing system and operably decoupled from said tissue cutting system; and a cutting operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said tissue cutting system and operably decoupled from said staple firing system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, wherein said transmission is configured to lock out said staple firing system and prevent said staple firing system from being operated when said transmission is in said cutting operating state. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, wherein said transmission is configured to lock out said tissue cutting system when said transmission is in said firing operating state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, wherein said transmission comprises an electric clutch configured to shift said transmission between said firing operating state and said cutting operating state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, further comprising an articulation joint, wherein said drive input comprises a flexible rotatable shaft, and wherein said flexible rotatable shaft extends through said articulation joint. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a plurality of concentric staple cavities, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises a replaceable staple cartridge. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, further comprising: an anvil configured to deform said staples; and a closure system configured to close said anvil, wherein said transmission further includes a closure operating state in which said drive input is operably coupled with said closure system.